I first saw Debbie in mid 2017, when my treating urologist referred me to her. I really didn’t have much faith that Physio for one’s bladder could work but decided to try it. At the time, I was on bladder medication and going through about 3-4 incontinence pads a day! My condition had been getting progressively worse as I got older, having suffered with an overactive bladder for almost all my life. I had been seeing urologists for most of my adulthood and before seeing Megan Fisher, they had all but run out of options to help me. Megan Fisher referred me to Debbie Cohen believing that the problem I had could be treated with Physio. I delayed a bit, not believing that (a) there was nothing surgically that could be done to fix me up, and (b) not having heard or experienced the fact that Physio can really help! I didn’t know what I was in for!
Debbie initially started treatment conservatively and then progressed to working on the pelvic floor area internally. She neither rushed me into it but didn’t take her foot off the pedal either. She guided me in the right direction not only with the physical treatment, but also a lot of counseling (whilst the physical treatment was taking place). This condition I had was so deep rooted and I think Debbie picked up on this and worked on both the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of the problem all at once. I had a breakthrough around July last year when I just felt more connected to my bladder and the control that I then leant to have by doing the pelvic floor strengthening treatment with Debbie. Slowly but surely I have made more progress with my bladder through the treatment with Debbie. The treatment has given me back the control over my bladder and has changed my life so much!
It’s been a journey and path that I had to walk down in order to get to where I am today. I recently went off bladder medication and also very happy to report that I have downsized my incontinence pads to mini which are dry at the end of the day on most days! I have come so far from when I first started and don’t have the anxiety and stress my bladder used to cause me. Debbie has been an amazing teacher, counselor and physician and I am eternally grateful for what she has done for me.
If you have bladder issues and your doctor refers you to Physio – do it because it works! I am living proof of that and everyday that goes by I am thankful for those who helped in this life changing journey.
Charmaine Tavares
Debbie is one of the best Physio’s that I have ever been to. She actually saved my life. Having been on s ventilator for 8 days I was taken off but 2 days later they wanted to put me back on the ventilator but I refused and said I wanted to see Debbie first. She went above and beyond to came to ICU at 6am to work with me and to help with my breathing. Due to her help and perseverance WE won and I never had to go back on the vent. G-d only knows how things would have turned out had they put me back on the vent. Thank you Debbie for all you did for me.
Des Schraibman
In autumn 2009, you helped us with our little girl, Rebecca. She had problems with breathing and we were also worried about her physical movement, which was not up to her age level. Everything is now fine with her and she is actually ahead of her age group when it comes to physical development. We went to physiotherapy, when we came home to Finland from South Africa, and Rebecca started to develop really quickly. The diagnosis was that she had been kept too much in babyseat and natural development had this way stopped in her lower body. Her development was so fast, that we were told that she is physicly talented child with very high IQ. She is truly happy little girl and our families little sunshine.
Thank you for all the help you gave us and all the best for you and your family,
BR Tuija
Debbie Cohen is an amazing person who is very easy to connect to, she is an amazing physiotherapist and we value Debbie as a client and physiotherapist.
We would do anything for Debbie.
We wish you all the luck and happiness.
Yours Safely
David Jacks
Managing Director
Med Medical Supplies and Rentals
To Whom It May Concern:
Re: Debbie Cohen
It was my pleasure and privilege to work with Debbie during the 10 years I spent as a private general practitioner.
She is an incredibly diligent physiotherapist who has years of experience behind her in most disciplines of physiotherapy. These include respiratory physiotherapy, chronic back pain treatment, shoulder injuries either degenerative or sporting related, carpel tunnel treatment, stress related conditions, post operative rehabilitation to mention a few.
She would never hesitate to help me with all complementary aspects of my patients care and the feedback from them was always positive. We had a very good working relationship based on accurate feedback and mutual referral. Her professionalism extended itself in the way in which she managed all the administrative aspects of her practice. She was always punctual and courteous. She always was willing to prioritize the patients’ well-being and this is indeed commendable.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any addition information, I would be only too happy to oblige.
Yours faithfully
Dr. Heather Lund
My relationship with Debbie goes back many years. I have had endless neck problems which she has been able to control with regular treatments and some gentle psychotherapy too!
But the story that is uppermost in my mind, is that of my mother’s recent hip operation. My mother is 77 years young and the family met in Cape Town on a sunny Friday morning. No sooner had we arrived than mom fell and broke her hip. In considerable pain she was transferred to the Vincent Palotti Hospital where she was operated on and physiotherapy was begun a few days thereafter.
Progress was painfully slow and the physician was not happy with her progress but had to discharge mom. We then flew her to Johannesburg in the hope that being near home would be a motivating factor to get mom moving as mobilisation was key.
My father flew back with her two days before our tickets were due and we duly arrived at the hospital. Mom was lying flat on her back and we sat with her. Her appointed physiotherapist arrived. He explained that when he attempted to sit mom up she was dizzy so he put her back in the bed as he was scared she would fall. Perhaps she was dizzy from lying flat I said and could benefit from being at 45 degrees. Hmm good idea he said. I asked about a suitable chair for her to sit in and he replied that the clinic had not bought the correct chairs so what could he do. None of this sounded right.
I met with the physician at 8 the next morning. Sure enough he confirmed my suspicions. If we continued in this manner, mom would never make progress with mobilisation. I called Debbie, who conveniently was in the hospital treating other patients. She quickly came round on her time (on a Saturday morning I might add), confirmed what I suspected, spoke to her connection at Med Medical Supplies and by the end of the morning mom had
a zimmer frame (on Debbie’s personal account to be reimbursed as a matter of urgency)
a sponge cushion to raise the level of the hospital’s La-Z-Boy
a treatment that included a walk clear across a 6 patient ward
confidence in terms of mobilisation and has continued to flourish.
I do not know what would have happened had we not had the benefit of Debbie’s knowledge, expertise and experience. She is my first port of cal on so many medical matters when it comes to referrals as well a caring ear at all times. Thanks Debs. You are my physiotherapist and my friend.
My name is Lesley Rosa, I am a 47-year-old female survivor of a deadly disease that killed thousands ofpeople. It has been three years ago since I had discovered I had caneer, the idea- of it was horrifying as my mind was worried as to who would be there for my children? Who will keep my husband company? What will happen in the future? This is the story of how I conquered my disease over breast cancer.
It was 286 of July 2007, I was in a stressful situation at the time and thus have neglected my health. When I discovered I had cancer,I had an operation which lead to the swelling in rny right arm. The suffering I had endured was terrible, until I had turned to Debbie Cohen – she helped me immensely through my toughest time. I followed a programme called the lymphoedema programme that she had suggested to me and because of this programme I have followed, my swelling has decreased substantially! Also Debbie has made my other lymph nodes work correctly again which really helps me a great deal today. Now my body feels back to normal and healthy again.
All my grateful thanks to you Debbie for your help and understanding.
